BBC Learning English launches BBC Business Class – an online series to help Chinese students develop business communication skills

BBC Learning English has launched BBC Business Class – a series of weekly online radio programmes aimed at helping Chinese students develop their business communication skills in the English language.

BBC Business Class focuses on developing essential skills such as preparing for job interviews, making business phone calls and writing emails.

The series consists of seven online modules, which are available free of charge on bbcukchina.com. Each instalment provides downloadable audio content, accompanied by exercises and transcripts, as well as cultural, linguistic and business advice from industry experts.

William Kremer, producer of BBC Business Class, said: “Most Chinese applicants for the top graduate jobs are highly motivated and intelligent, with excellent business knowledge. Through BBC Business Class’ practical advice and modules, as well as following real-life Chinese students, they will be able to gain first-hand experience of business skills and practical tips that will help them to achieve their professional goals.”

In addition to providing advice and exercises, the series also follows ambitious Chinese students, who are currently studying in the UK. In each instalment, six students will undergo tough business workshops on that week’s topic, before two of them are chosen to go head-to-head in a realistic business challenge.

“In China we’re all used to the Chinese ways of working and now we come abroad it’s no longer applicable. So sometimes unwittingly we come across problems and cause misunderstandings. So through this programme I’ve realised there are a lot of things I need to improve on” said Kevin Wu, one of the student participants.
Notes to Editors

bbcukchina.com is a popular site for English students and people who are interested in working or living in the UK. Their free audio and video features have proven a hit with Chinese audiences, with web pages receiving over thirty million hits a month. bbcukchina’s partners in China include 21st Century, China Daily, QQ and Sina.

BBC Learning English is a key resource for the world’s English language learners – estimated to number over one billion people. Using BBC news, entertainment, and education content it provides multimedia learning support directly and also through broadcasting, institutional, and educational partners in a range of countries around the world. The majority of this material is provided free to the users, and designed to offer a topical, modern, and practical way for them to improve their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

For more information and to start now, join over a million people who visit bbclearningenglish.com every month.